My last vehicle was a Jeep and I went through 3 new windshields that included 1 made by SGC Safellite Glass Corp)and 2 made by Pilkington.My 2016 Ford Escape has Carlite(Carlex) Soundscreen acoustic glass.If I ever need to replace the front windshield does Pilkington make a Acoustic glass like Carlite?I know the Carlite(OEM)is more money.I have no idea who makes OEE glass for my escape besides Carlite.Joe
Front windshield replacement-Just in case
- Thread starter Joeforester
- Start date
- Status
Carlex bought out Ford's glass operations and they also use PGW/PPG, Guardian and AGC glass - check the DOT code.
You'll be fine with Pilkington, I'd avoid Safelite glass - it's even worse than the worst Chinese glass.
You'll be fine with Pilkington, I'd avoid Safelite glass - it's even worse than the worst Chinese glass.
Yeah I agree. Wife needed a windshield replaced last year, our insurance company recommended safelite and they paid 100 percent so I said sure.
Chinese junk glass looks all pitted a year later and like junk.
We did not have it replaced in the driveway either, they recommended I bring it to their shop and that is what we did. I would rather have glass installed at a shop, not a driveway in 95 degree heat.
Buy glass insurance folks, its only like 2 bucks a month for me.
Chinese junk glass looks all pitted a year later and like junk.
We did not have it replaced in the driveway either, they recommended I bring it to their shop and that is what we did. I would rather have glass installed at a shop, not a driveway in 95 degree heat.
Buy glass insurance folks, its only like 2 bucks a month for me.
Originally Posted By: JustinH
Yeah I agree. Wife needed a windshield replaced last year, our insurance company recommended safelite and they paid 100 percent so I said sure.
Chinese junk glass looks all pitted a year later and like junk.
We did not have it replaced in the driveway either, they recommended I bring it to their shop and that is what we did. I would rather have glass installed at a shop, not a driveway in 95 degree heat.
Buy glass insurance folks, its only like 2 bucks a month for me.
The Focus was broken into a few years ago and I had Safelite replace the window (from insurance). After a week, the window stopped going down. Apaprently they forgot to secure the window to the track. So they came back and fixed it again. And it worked for another week before it fell off the track.
I finally ended up securing it properly myself. They were not able to do that, apparently.
Yeah I agree. Wife needed a windshield replaced last year, our insurance company recommended safelite and they paid 100 percent so I said sure.
Chinese junk glass looks all pitted a year later and like junk.
We did not have it replaced in the driveway either, they recommended I bring it to their shop and that is what we did. I would rather have glass installed at a shop, not a driveway in 95 degree heat.
Buy glass insurance folks, its only like 2 bucks a month for me.
The Focus was broken into a few years ago and I had Safelite replace the window (from insurance). After a week, the window stopped going down. Apaprently they forgot to secure the window to the track. So they came back and fixed it again. And it worked for another week before it fell off the track.
I finally ended up securing it properly myself. They were not able to do that, apparently.
Nick1994
$100 site donor 2024
Wow, both things I try to avoid like the plague.
Safelite Auto Glass and Pilkington windshields.
Safelite has a great warranty, but they always install them wrong and they have tons of wind noise.
Pilkington windshields get pitted like crazy here. My windshield must have literally thousands of tiny chips all over it. My previous VW did it and so did my aunt's VW with Pilkington glass.
The Trailblazer had a defective Pilkington windshield that was wavy, made you feel like you were having a migraine and made things appear in double. They replaced it under warranty with a different brand. Then they had to come out again because on the highway it squealed like the air being let out of a balloon.
Safelite Auto Glass and Pilkington windshields.
Safelite has a great warranty, but they always install them wrong and they have tons of wind noise.
Pilkington windshields get pitted like crazy here. My windshield must have literally thousands of tiny chips all over it. My previous VW did it and so did my aunt's VW with Pilkington glass.
The Trailblazer had a defective Pilkington windshield that was wavy, made you feel like you were having a migraine and made things appear in double. They replaced it under warranty with a different brand. Then they had to come out again because on the highway it squealed like the air being let out of a balloon.
I think the DOT code is 467.
I've never had problems with PGW & Pilkington. Only a handful of OE glass companies out there anyway. Just make sure to use a reputable installation company and not some cut-rate place.
"OEE" is not a thing unless you're browsing the website of a company that makes/sells imitation glass. It's "imitation", "knock-off", "aftermarket", "reverse-engineered", "imported", "copy", but it's definitely not "original equipment equivalent" in any way.
I have actually seen one customer successfully get OEM glass because he complained that the aftermarket glass didn't say "SoundScreen" on it, so the car wasn't put back to pre-loss condition.
Some people might not pay attention to glass, but urethane-bonded glass is a structural part of the car; incorrect glass could contribute to a load path failure in a front end collision.
The aftermarket glass situation is only going to get worse now that LKQ Corp has gobbled up PGW.
I have actually seen one customer successfully get OEM glass because he complained that the aftermarket glass didn't say "SoundScreen" on it, so the car wasn't put back to pre-loss condition.
Some people might not pay attention to glass, but urethane-bonded glass is a structural part of the car; incorrect glass could contribute to a load path failure in a front end collision.
The aftermarket glass situation is only going to get worse now that LKQ Corp has gobbled up PGW.
LOL. Safelite will install OEM glass for an insurance claim or out of pocket work. You just have to tell them you want OEM. It could not be any easier short of them not carrying anything else.
No mystery here. You insured an OEM windshield, so you are owed one when it is replaced. Safelite even sourced a PPG windshield for my Caprice coupe that was 20 years old at the time. $50 glass deductible, thanks Allstate.
No mystery here. You insured an OEM windshield, so you are owed one when it is replaced. Safelite even sourced a PPG windshield for my Caprice coupe that was 20 years old at the time. $50 glass deductible, thanks Allstate.
Originally Posted By: Ethan1
The aftermarket glass situation is only going to get worse now that LKQ Corp has gobbled up PGW.
I've read about that. I guess FYG or XYG might the only choice soon - even though I'm seeing a lot of FYG being used on GM/Mopar/BMW/Range Rover/Ford, I'm still leery of their glass.
The aftermarket glass situation is only going to get worse now that LKQ Corp has gobbled up PGW.
I've read about that. I guess FYG or XYG might the only choice soon - even though I'm seeing a lot of FYG being used on GM/Mopar/BMW/Range Rover/Ford, I'm still leery of their glass.
Originally Posted By: Gasbuggy
You insured an OEM windshield, so you are owed one when it is replaced.
This is news to me. Are you a lawyer? If so, I will hire you to bring a class action lawsuit against the insurance industry on behalf of the nation's bodyshops and the motoring public.
You insured an OEM windshield, so you are owed one when it is replaced.
This is news to me. Are you a lawyer? If so, I will hire you to bring a class action lawsuit against the insurance industry on behalf of the nation's bodyshops and the motoring public.
JTK
$100 Site Donor 2025
In my opinion, regardless of who made the glass, it's Safelite's installation techniques that scare me. They black siliconed the cowling back together on the newer, fancy F150 of a co-worker of mine instead of replacing the clips and the cowling they broke. Took some battling to get it fixed properly. Based on what I saw there, I wouldn't let them install floor mats.
Last edited:
Originally Posted By: Nick1994
Pilkington windshields get pitted like crazy here. My windshield must have literally thousands of tiny chips all over it. My previous VW did it and so did my aunt's VW with Pilkington glass.
The Trailblazer had a defective Pilkington windshield that was wavy, made you feel like you were having a migraine and made things appear in double. They replaced it under warranty with a different brand. Then they had to come out again because on the highway it squealed like the air being let out of a balloon.
Maybe it varies by application?
The roughly 3 year old Pilkington in my 2002 Ranger has been great. About a year ago it took a hard hit from a rock at 70-75 MPH. I figured the chip, which was on the passenger side, was too big to be repaired and would soon get larger and I'd just get a new windsheild. Nope. The chip is literally the same size a year and over 15K miles later. The truck has been outside the whole time, in everything from below freezing to over 100*F temps. Not much ice this year though.
Pilkington windshields get pitted like crazy here. My windshield must have literally thousands of tiny chips all over it. My previous VW did it and so did my aunt's VW with Pilkington glass.
The Trailblazer had a defective Pilkington windshield that was wavy, made you feel like you were having a migraine and made things appear in double. They replaced it under warranty with a different brand. Then they had to come out again because on the highway it squealed like the air being let out of a balloon.
Maybe it varies by application?
The roughly 3 year old Pilkington in my 2002 Ranger has been great. About a year ago it took a hard hit from a rock at 70-75 MPH. I figured the chip, which was on the passenger side, was too big to be repaired and would soon get larger and I'd just get a new windsheild. Nope. The chip is literally the same size a year and over 15K miles later. The truck has been outside the whole time, in everything from below freezing to over 100*F temps. Not much ice this year though.
Originally Posted By: Ethan1
Originally Posted By: Gasbuggy
You insured an OEM windshield, so you are owed one when it is replaced.
This is news to me. Are you a lawyer? If so, I will hire you to bring a class action lawsuit against the insurance industry on behalf of the nation's bodyshops and the motoring public.
Not a lawyer but I do think like one, seems like a very rational thought to me. If you lost a Michelin tire in an accident would you have to take a off brand replacement? No. Though if you let them that is on you. I don't see how you can file a lawsuit over people not being their own advocate and verbalizing what they want. Also can't blame satelite for suggesting alternatives that save you or your insurance company money while providing a larger profit margin to them.
I've had 4 windshields replaced with OEM glass. I also have 1 Safelite house glass and it seems fine. I blasted a deer a few years ago and it hit the windshield, it did not break.
Originally Posted By: Gasbuggy
You insured an OEM windshield, so you are owed one when it is replaced.
This is news to me. Are you a lawyer? If so, I will hire you to bring a class action lawsuit against the insurance industry on behalf of the nation's bodyshops and the motoring public.
Not a lawyer but I do think like one, seems like a very rational thought to me. If you lost a Michelin tire in an accident would you have to take a off brand replacement? No. Though if you let them that is on you. I don't see how you can file a lawsuit over people not being their own advocate and verbalizing what they want. Also can't blame satelite for suggesting alternatives that save you or your insurance company money while providing a larger profit margin to them.
I've had 4 windshields replaced with OEM glass. I also have 1 Safelite house glass and it seems fine. I blasted a deer a few years ago and it hit the windshield, it did not break.
Originally Posted By: Gasbuggy
Originally Posted By: Ethan1
Originally Posted By: Gasbuggy
You insured an OEM windshield, so you are owed one when it is replaced.
This is news to me. Are you a lawyer? If so, I will hire you to bring a class action lawsuit against the insurance industry on behalf of the nation's bodyshops and the motoring public.
Not a lawyer but I do think like one, seems like a very rational thought to me. If you lost a Michelin tire in an accident would you have to take a off brand replacement? No. Though if you let them that is on you. I don't see how you can file a lawsuit over people not being their own advocate and verbalizing what they want. Also can't blame satelite for suggesting alternatives that save you or your insurance company money while providing a larger profit margin to them.
I've had 4 windshields replaced with OEM glass. I also have 1 Safelite house glass and it seems fine. I blasted a deer a few years ago and it hit the windshield, it did not break.
Read your insurance policy. If it's a first-party claim, you're going to take whatever parts the insurance company specifies unless you have an OEM endorsement on your policy. You can also pay the price difference. If there are deficiencies with the part, as I mentioned above, you may also get the part changed to OEM after the fact (hopefully you're not in a hurry to get your car back).
In the case of a third-party claim, you have a lot more latitude. You could pay for repairs out-of-pocket and sue the other driver to recoup your costs, or simply float that idea if the adverse carrier balks at OEM parts.
I certainly wish that these things were as simple as you seem to believe.
Originally Posted By: Ethan1
Originally Posted By: Gasbuggy
You insured an OEM windshield, so you are owed one when it is replaced.
This is news to me. Are you a lawyer? If so, I will hire you to bring a class action lawsuit against the insurance industry on behalf of the nation's bodyshops and the motoring public.
Not a lawyer but I do think like one, seems like a very rational thought to me. If you lost a Michelin tire in an accident would you have to take a off brand replacement? No. Though if you let them that is on you. I don't see how you can file a lawsuit over people not being their own advocate and verbalizing what they want. Also can't blame satelite for suggesting alternatives that save you or your insurance company money while providing a larger profit margin to them.
I've had 4 windshields replaced with OEM glass. I also have 1 Safelite house glass and it seems fine. I blasted a deer a few years ago and it hit the windshield, it did not break.
Read your insurance policy. If it's a first-party claim, you're going to take whatever parts the insurance company specifies unless you have an OEM endorsement on your policy. You can also pay the price difference. If there are deficiencies with the part, as I mentioned above, you may also get the part changed to OEM after the fact (hopefully you're not in a hurry to get your car back).
In the case of a third-party claim, you have a lot more latitude. You could pay for repairs out-of-pocket and sue the other driver to recoup your costs, or simply float that idea if the adverse carrier balks at OEM parts.
I certainly wish that these things were as simple as you seem to believe.
Originally Posted By: Ethan1
Originally Posted By: Gasbuggy
Originally Posted By: Ethan1
Originally Posted By: Gasbuggy
You insured an OEM windshield, so you are owed one when it is replaced.
This is news to me. Are you a lawyer? If so, I will hire you to bring a class action lawsuit against the insurance industry on behalf of the nation's bodyshops and the motoring public.
Not a lawyer but I do think like one, seems like a very rational thought to me. If you lost a Michelin tire in an accident would you have to take a off brand replacement? No. Though if you let them that is on you. I don't see how you can file a lawsuit over people not being their own advocate and verbalizing what they want. Also can't blame satelite for suggesting alternatives that save you or your insurance company money while providing a larger profit margin to them.
I've had 4 windshields replaced with OEM glass. I also have 1 Safelite house glass and it seems fine. I blasted a deer a few years ago and it hit the windshield, it did not break.
Read your insurance policy. If it's a first-party claim, you're going to take whatever parts the insurance company specifies unless you have an OEM endorsement on your policy. You can also pay the price difference. If there are deficiencies with the part, as I mentioned above, you may also get the part changed to OEM after the fact (hopefully you're not in a hurry to get your car back).
In the case of a third-party claim, you have a lot more latitude. You could pay for repairs out-of-pocket and sue the other driver to recoup your costs, or simply float that idea if the adverse carrier balks at OEM parts.
I certainly wish that these things were as simple as you seem to believe.
Simple as I believe is not a correct statement. That implies that I arbitrarily think it is this easy. Simple as it has been is more accurate. I shared my own experience. All my claims were first party through a standard Allstate policy which I bet has no OEM replacement obligation. $50 deductible. In my cases it doesn't take magical powers to get an equivalent windshield for replacement. I'm sure certain companies are strict but in my opinion where there is a will there is a way, most of the time. You're better off starting out with the mindset that you're going to get what you want rather than wondering what they'll give you.
Even if my company said no I bet I would still get OEM glass. First I would go after the equivalence. If it came down to it I would find out if my insurance company would like to lose about 5 policies over the difference in cost of a new windshield. Maybe they do it, maybe we agree to split the difference.
I've never had to actually ask my insurance company about glass. I usually call my agent up and tell him I'm going to get a windshield replaced through Safelite. He says thanks for letting me know. Then I call Safelite and they handle everything relating to your insurance company. Maybe with their relationships, knowing I want OEM, they just push it through. I've told other people I know to specify and so far no one has been turned down, that is a small number of people though.
Originally Posted By: Gasbuggy
Originally Posted By: Ethan1
Originally Posted By: Gasbuggy
You insured an OEM windshield, so you are owed one when it is replaced.
This is news to me. Are you a lawyer? If so, I will hire you to bring a class action lawsuit against the insurance industry on behalf of the nation's bodyshops and the motoring public.
Not a lawyer but I do think like one, seems like a very rational thought to me. If you lost a Michelin tire in an accident would you have to take a off brand replacement? No. Though if you let them that is on you. I don't see how you can file a lawsuit over people not being their own advocate and verbalizing what they want. Also can't blame satelite for suggesting alternatives that save you or your insurance company money while providing a larger profit margin to them.
I've had 4 windshields replaced with OEM glass. I also have 1 Safelite house glass and it seems fine. I blasted a deer a few years ago and it hit the windshield, it did not break.
Read your insurance policy. If it's a first-party claim, you're going to take whatever parts the insurance company specifies unless you have an OEM endorsement on your policy. You can also pay the price difference. If there are deficiencies with the part, as I mentioned above, you may also get the part changed to OEM after the fact (hopefully you're not in a hurry to get your car back).
In the case of a third-party claim, you have a lot more latitude. You could pay for repairs out-of-pocket and sue the other driver to recoup your costs, or simply float that idea if the adverse carrier balks at OEM parts.
I certainly wish that these things were as simple as you seem to believe.
Simple as I believe is not a correct statement. That implies that I arbitrarily think it is this easy. Simple as it has been is more accurate. I shared my own experience. All my claims were first party through a standard Allstate policy which I bet has no OEM replacement obligation. $50 deductible. In my cases it doesn't take magical powers to get an equivalent windshield for replacement. I'm sure certain companies are strict but in my opinion where there is a will there is a way, most of the time. You're better off starting out with the mindset that you're going to get what you want rather than wondering what they'll give you.
Even if my company said no I bet I would still get OEM glass. First I would go after the equivalence. If it came down to it I would find out if my insurance company would like to lose about 5 policies over the difference in cost of a new windshield. Maybe they do it, maybe we agree to split the difference.
I've never had to actually ask my insurance company about glass. I usually call my agent up and tell him I'm going to get a windshield replaced through Safelite. He says thanks for letting me know. Then I call Safelite and they handle everything relating to your insurance company. Maybe with their relationships, knowing I want OEM, they just push it through. I've told other people I know to specify and so far no one has been turned down, that is a small number of people though.
- Status
